Surprise! I've Transmigrated Again-Chapter 267 ⤞ Declaration of War! Let’s Fight!

Initially, both were on guard, but Apollo didn't make any excessive moves, continuing to politely greet guests at the divine banquet.

It seemed Hestia and Bell had been overly cautious.

"My Lord..."

"Ah, looks like we were too nervous."

Unlike Bell's awkwardness, Hestia, the thick-skinned goddess, showed no embarrassment. Instead, she casually flipped her twin tails as if nothing was amiss.

This earned her some playful teasing from Loki, who stood beside her.

After Apollo finished his hosting duties, the banquet moved on to the social dance portion.

"Shall we dance..."

With several deities acting as wingmen, Bell's wish came true — a dance with his beloved Ais in the ballroom. In this moment, he felt he had reached the peak of happiness. If only time could stand still forever.

That's what he thought.

But of course, the evil lurking in the shadows wouldn't grant him even a moment's peace.

"Everyone~! Are you enjoying the banquet?" Apollo, the host, appeared once more.

This time he was different, accompanied by two attendants. One was Hyakinthos Clio, captain of the Apollo Familia, who had quarreled with Bell earlier.

Bell's instincts told him something was wrong. Combined with the scene he had witnessed earlier — Apollo plotting with others in the courtyard — he sensed approaching trouble.

"Everyone's enjoyment brings me such happiness. This is what makes hosting a banquet worthwhile." Apollo raised both hands, as if his actions were purely for the Gods' entertainment and Orario's benefit.

The Gods, naturally, gave their unanimous approval. These pleasure-seeking deities loved nothing more than excitement.

But his performance was merely setting the stage for his upcoming scheme!

After attracting the Gods' attention, he stared directly at Bell in the middle of the dance floor, breathing heavily with his tongue lolling out and licking his lips. This perverted expression was his true face when he desperately wanted to snatch a child he had taken a liking to.

—Apollo, the Phallus!

"Ahem, pardon my late mention of this, Hestia... but the other day, my Familia member was in your care."

"In our care? Oh... we should be saying that about you." Not understanding his intent, Hestia assumed he was making polite conversation and played along.

But Apollo cut her off, shoving forward his injured Familia member.

"Your Familia member severely injured mine. I expect compensation, Hestia." His demand was blunt.

Yet his eyes never met Hestia's — like a predator, his gaze remained fixed on Bell.

"Y-you're talking nonsense! My Bell was injured too — you have no right to demand one-sided compensation!" Hestia snapped, refusing to accept blame for the incident.

This was precisely Apollo's plan. Having already curried favor with the Gods through this banquet, he needed only a small push to achieve his goal.

Like an actor on stage, he pressed his right hand to his chest dramatically, the spotlights gleaming off his flower crown.

This man was truly contemptible.

"Ah~! My beloved Luan returned nearly broken! You cannot imagine how my heart shattered! Oh~ my poor Luan!"

His amateur theatrics were obvious to the Gods present. Yet these thrill-seeking deities simply watched with amusement as this villain played the clown for their entertainment.

"Ah, ah~! My Luan!" Continuing his nauseating display, Apollo rushed to the Pallum who had fought with Bell.

He embraced the bandaged Pallum, as if demonstrating his deep paternal love. Right on cue, the Pallum cried out in pain.

"It hurts! It hurts so much!"

The performance might have been convincing if Apollo hadn't already revealed his true nature.

"B-Bell, did you... really hurt him that badly?" Even Hestia began to doubt, seeing this display.

Though the Pallum might be acting, his injuries were real — the scent of blood couldn't be faked. That's what shocked her.

Yet she knew Bell's gentle nature would never allow such violence.

"It wasn't me! I didn't do it! Stop lying!"

Three desperate denials burst forth from Bell, the last directed at the Pallum.

But in the current situation, whether he was guilty or not hardly mattered — the outcome was already beyond his control.

"My Familia member was gravely injured, and I cannot let this slide. After all, this concerns our Familia's honor... Hestia, will you still not admit your fault?" Apollo attempted to force the blame onto her.

"How infuriating! I refuse to accept these false accusations!" Hestia immediately fired back, refusing to acknowledge the wrongdoing being thrust upon her.

"Is that so, is that so... then we have no choice." Apollo had finally achieved his goal and dropped all pretense.

His heart leaped with joy as his mouth twisted into a lewd, malicious smile.

"Since Hestia won't admit it... well~I have no choice but to formally challenge you to a War Game!"

"Waaah—!!!" x N

The assembled Gods let out instinctive cries at these words.

Though they had anticipated Apollo's intent to cause trouble, none expected him to make such a bold move by immediately escalating to a War Game.

A War Game — in other words, a proxy war between celestial Gods.

Since Gods cannot use their divine powers in the mortal realm, they settle disputes through War Games between their Familias. These competitions take many forms: relay races, team battles, siege warfare, Dungeon speed runs, and even unusual contests involving potion-making, forging, or farming.

The stakes in these wars are extreme. The victor gains absolute control over the defeated party's fate, able to make any demands and take everything from their opponent.

Typically, they seize all property from the losing faction, including its members. In the most severe cases, they might even force the defeated deity to return to heaven!

"As expected, Apollo made his move."

"Yay—!"

"No, this is bullying!"

"But don't you want to see it?"

"Indeed, I want to watch."

The deities whispered among themselves, completely disregarding Hestia's expression as they eagerly discussed potential competition formats.

"Hehehe, it seems everyone enjoys this kind of drama. What do you think, Hestia?" Apollo looked at the petite goddess smugly, his expression suggesting he had her cornered.

Indeed he did. Even if Hestia refused now, he would harass her until she agreed.

"Sigh... looks like Adam was right — you were plotting something."

But Apollo hadn't expected this: Hestia showed no panic at all, wearing an expression of complete anticipation.

"Eh...?"

This wasn't how he had imagined it!

Shouldn't she either agree in angry embarrassment or storm away in rage? Why did she look as if she had expected everything?

Apollo grew flustered. The situation had exceeded his expectations!

"Apollo, you say you want to have a War Game with me?"

"Y-yes, that's right."

"Hmph, very well, I accept!"

"Huh?"

"I said, I... accept... your challenge!"

Like a noble issuing a duel challenge, Hestia removed her pure white glove before all the deities and threw it forcefully at Apollo's vulgar face.

"Whether it's a War Game or Familia War, I accept it all!" She declared with overwhelming dominance.

"Ohhh—!!!" x N

Hearing her unwavering words, the deities instantly became fired up, loudly cheering for Hestia's bold courage.

Of course, they also expressed confusion at her apparent recklessness.

"That Hestia, she actually accepted?"

"It's puzzling."

"Isn't hers the weakest Familia?"

"That's what I thought too."

Unlike the deities who simply enjoyed watching the drama unfold, some shrewder Gods found the situation peculiar.

"You accepted... you really accepted, Hestia! You accepted in front of all the deities! Now you can't back out!"

Apollo was clearly provoked by Hestia's response. His earlier suspicions and carefully constructed defenses crumbled before this sudden wave of joy.

"Hmph! Enough talk! I've accepted, and I won't back down!"

"Hehehehehe..." Apollo's eyes gleamed with desire as he fixed his gaze on Bell, "In that case, I'll be somewhat lenient!"

"Huh—?! What do you mean?"

"If my Familia wins, then your Familia member — Bell-kun, will become mine."

"Fine. But if I win, I'll take everything you have!"

"Contract established."

"Contract established."

The two sealed their agreement before all the assembled deities.

This wasn't yet official, of course. They would still need to visit the Denatus, stake their claims under the Gods' witness, draw lots for the competition type, and set the duel time before the War Game contract would be formally established.

"Hmph, enjoy your smugness while you can, Apollo." Disgusted by his revolting behavior, Hestia turned to leave with Bell at her side, "Let's go, Bell-kun."

"Yes, Lady Goddess."

Bell followed Hestia out.

Despite being made the stakes in this War Game, he showed no signs of concern.

In truth, this was all Adam's arrangement. Before they arrived, he had analyzed the upcoming events for them both, based on what would happen to Bell after his departure.

He had explained everything — Apollo's true purpose for hosting the banquet, the inevitable confrontation at the party, and all the outrageous moves Apollo might make to provoke them.

After careful consideration, the three reached a unanimous decision. Since Apollo could force a War Game regardless, they would accept his challenge directly and demonstrate their strength to Orario's deities, who would no longer look down on them.

In other words, defeating Apollo would mark their first step toward dominating Orario!

To this bold plan, Hestia gave her complete approval.

Bell felt uncertain about his abilities, but Adam's taunt — "You're always this timid. When will you ever catch up to the Sword Princess?" — ignited his fighting spirit.

And so, the war between Hestia Familia and Apollo Familia was about to begin.

✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧

Watching Hestia's departing figure, Apollo grinned widely. Having achieved his goal, he no longer needed to hide his true intentions.

However, a single doubt still lingered in his mind.

"Ah~ah~ you actually said it." Loki stepped forward from the sidelines, her eyes narrowed to slits.

"Ah, it's Loki."

"Apollo, you fool, did you properly investigate that shorty's Familia's strength?" Loki's pitying expression made the pathetic sun god panic slightly.

"W-what do you mean?"

"Ah, as expected... you don't know, Apollo."

"Know what?"

"...No, nothing." Loki had no intention of revealing that Hestia Familia harbored someone whose strength far exceeded Apollo's members.

This was merely revenge for Apollo's earlier villainous behavior. Though she was the Goddess of Mischief, mischief and evil were entirely different things.

Besides, this Sun God was destined for swift defeat whether she warned him or not.

Unexpectedly, Freya joined in, her voice carrying an enchanting charm that even deities couldn't resist.

"Apollo, struggle well and put on a magnificent show for us... just don't lose instantly."

These words shocked Apollo even more.

Orario's two top Familias didn't think he could win? What was going on?!

"Hey! W-what do you mean? Explain yourself!" Apollo lost his composure, his outburst drawing the attention of other deities.

They wondered what new trouble this love-obsessed Sun God was stirring up.

"Hmph, figure it out yourself." Loki, harboring a poor impression of Apollo, turned and left with Ais without another word.

Freya followed suit, giving him a meaningful look before departing with Ottar.

"Hahaha, are you suggesting I'll lose?" Apollo laughed angrily.

But as the Sun God, how could he possibly fear Orario's weakest Familia?

"Me, lose? Against a Familia with just two members? If Hestia defeats me, I'll leave Orario on the spot!"

✧✧✧

T/N: Hey! Liked what you read? Support your friendly neighborhood translator on Patreon! Think of it as buying me a coffee... or ten!

For just $1.50 (that's less than your daily meme budget), get extra Chapters! Want more? $2 gets you bonus content, $5 unlocks premium stories, and $10 makes you my hero (and gets you everything I have, including earlier acess to new books)!

That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)

https://www.patreon.com/collection/770985